Post view tasks: MACBETH

 Here I am writing a blog on post viewing tasks of Macbeth. 

1. HOW FAITHFUL IS THE PLAY PERFORMANCE TO THE ORIGINAL PLAY?

∆> The play performance is partially faithful to the original play. At the end some dialogues were changed.

2. HOW HAS WATCHING THE PLAY INFLUENCED YOUR PERCEPTION OF THE CHARACTERS, SITUATIONS OR THEMES? 

∆> According to me characters were well performed in all the situations and the major theme was tragedy. 

3. DID YOU EXPERIENCE AESTHETIC DELIGHT  WHILE WATCHING THE PLAY? WHEN AND WHY? 

∆> No I didn't experience aesthetic delight while watching the play. 

4. DID YOU EXPERIENCE CATHARSIS WHILE WATCHING THE PLAY? WHEN AND WHY? 

∆> Yes I experienced catharsis when Lady Macbeth was rubbing her hands sorrowfully to remove her guilt. 

5. HOW DID THE SCREENING OF THE PLAY ENHANCE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PLAY COMPARED TO READING THE TEXT? 

∆> I didn't read the text so I'm not able to compare both the things.  

6. IS THERE A PARTICULAR SCENE OR MOMENT IN THE PLAY THAT WILL STAY WITH YOU? 

∆> Yes there is a one scene of Lady Macbeth when she was washing her hands again and again for the remove of her guilt. 

7. IF YOU WERE DIRECTOR WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU BE CONSIDER MAKING IN A SCREENING OF THE PLAY PERFORMANCE ADAPTION OF MACBETH? 

∆>

8. SYMBOLISM OF THE SCENES INVOLVING THE WITCHES IN RELATION TO MACBETH'S AMBITIOUS ACTIONS AND THE  PLOT OF THE PLAY. 

∆> The witches in "Macbeth" are important because they provide Macbeth's primary call to action. The witches' prophesies also affect Lady Macbeth, albeit indirectly when Macbeth writes his wife about seeing the "weird sisters," as he calls them.

# MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS:-

1. What is the gener of Shakespeare's play  MACBETH? 

A. Comedy

B. Tragedy

C. Romance

D. History

∆> TRAGEDY

2. Which of the following well describes Macbeth's Tragic flaw? 

A. Ambition

B. Kindness

C. Honesty

D. Patience

∆> Ambition

3. The witches prophecies play a significant role in macbeth's downfall. What is the primary theme associated with these prophecies? 

A. Love

B. Power

C. Justice

D. Friendship

∆> FRIENDSHIP

4. Lady macbeth's sleepwalking scene is a turning point in the play. What emotion is she struggling with  during this scene? 

A. Joy

B. Fear

C. Guilt

D. Anger

∆> Guilt

# Open ended short questions:-

1. Describe the symbolic significance of the opening scenes in Act I & IV involving the three witches in the play "Macbeth."

> In Act 1 & 5 those three witches pulling Macbeth's ambition. 

2. How does Macbeth's ambition lead to his moral deterioration throughout the play? Provide examples from the play to support your answer. 

>unnecessary murder of Macduff's wife and his children clearly showed that Macbeth lost control over his ambition.

3. In what ways does the motif of ‘blood’ serve as a symbol in "Macbeth"? Explain its significance in relation to guilt and violence. (‘Blood’ is mentioned around 40 times in the play). 

> Blood is an important motif constantly shown throughout the play. Macbeth, the main character, thinks he can advance to the throne without any consequences. Blood exemplifies the guilt he is now stuck with, and due to Macbeth's excessive ambition, and overwhelming guilt, he is now faced with the consequences.

4. Discuss the impact of the supernatural elements, such as the witches and prophecies, on the plot and characters of "Macbeth." 

> Prophecies and Fate: The supernatural elements in the play are used to predict the future, specifically the witches' prophecy that Macbeth will become king. This prediction leads Macbeth to believe that he is fated to rule, which in turn drives him to pursue power through any means necessary.

 5. Compare and contrast the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. How do their personalities and motivations contribute to the unfolding of the tragedy? 

> Macbeth, although ambitious, suffers from self-doubt which impairs his strength of character and resolve. Whereas Lady Macbeth is confident and ruthless in her ambition and therefore appears more powerful than Macbeth. Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Macbeth explores the tension between power and gender roles.

# Literature Worksheet: Exploring Macbeth:-

1. Soliloquy Analysis:

   - Explain the soliloquy from Shakespeare's "Macbeth": 'Tomorrow, tomorrow… tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.' Provide insights into its context, significance, and its impact on the character of Macbeth.

Ans. "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing."

Context:

This soliloquy takes place near the end of the play, when Macbeth is in a state of despair and disillusionment. He has just learned of his wife's death and is facing imminent defeat in battle against the forces of Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne. Macbeth's ambition and ruthlessness have led him to commit terrible deeds, including murder, to gain and hold onto power. Now, as his world crumbles around him, he reflects on the futility and meaninglessness of life.

Significance:

This soliloquy is significant because it encapsulates Macbeth's psychological journey throughout the play. At the beginning, he is ambitious and willing to do anything to become king. However, as he achieves his goals and becomes consumed by guilt and paranoia, he descends into madness and nihilism. The soliloquy reflects his utter hopelessness and despair as he realizes that all his efforts and the violence he has committed have ultimately led to nothing.

Impact on the Character of Macbeth:

This soliloquy showcases Macbeth's transformation from a confident and power-hungry figure into a broken and defeated man. It reveals the full extent of his moral and emotional decay. The "tale told by an idiot" line suggests that Macbeth sees life as meaningless and chaotic, with no purpose or order. This reflection on the emptiness of existence serves as a tragic climax to Macbeth's character arc, highlighting the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and the corrupting nature of power.

In summary, the soliloquy in "Macbeth" reflects the character's despair, the consequences of his actions, and the overall theme of the play regarding the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition. It is a powerful moment that underscores the tragedy of Macbeth's downfall.

2. The Great Chain of Being:

   - Define the concept of the "Great Chain of Being" as it relates to Shakespeare's "Macbeth." How does this concept influence the characters and themes in the play?

Ans.  The "Great Chain of Being" was a medieval and Renaissance concept that depicted a hierarchical order of existence with God at the top, followed by angels, humans, animals, plants, and inanimate objects. This concept influenced Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in several ways:

1. Divine Order: 

In "Macbeth," the Great Chain of Being is disrupted when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth commit regicide. They challenge the natural order by usurping the throne, which was believed to be a violation of God's divine plan.

2. Supernatural Elements:

 The play incorporates supernatural elements like witches and prophecies, which reflect the belief in a spiritual realm interconnecting with the human world, further emphasizing the idea of the Great Chain of Being.

3. Ambition and Hubris:

 Macbeth's ambition drives him to break the chain, leading to his downfall. His unchecked ambition disrupts the natural order, and this theme underscores the consequences of human ambition.

4.Themes of Disorder and Chaos: 

As the play progresses, Scotland descends into chaos and disorder, mirroring the disruption of the Great Chain of Being. This turmoil highlights the consequences of defying the established order.

In summary, the Great Chain of Being is a central concept in "Macbeth," influencing both the characters' actions and the overarching themes of the play, particularly in the context of ambition, divine order, and the consequences of disrupting the natural hierarchy.

3. Film Adaptation Analysis:

   - Choose a film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" (or mention a specific adaptation by name) and explain why you believe it is the best adaptation. Discuss its fidelity to the source material, directorial choices, and any unique interpretations that make it stand out.

Ans. One of the standout adaptations of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is Roman Polanski's 1971 film, simply titled "Macbeth." I consider it one of the best adaptations for several reasons:

1. Fidelity to Source Material: 

Polanski's adaptation stays remarkably faithful to Shakespeare's original text, preserving the essence of the play's language and themes. It captures the dark and brooding atmosphere of the Scottish tragedy, maintaining the integrity of the source material.

2. Gritty Realism: 

This adaptation distinguishes itself through its gritty and realistic portrayal of the violence and brutality within the story. Polanski's background as a director known for exploring darker themes lends itself well to depicting the gruesome aspects of Macbeth's rise to power.

3. Strong Performances: 

The film boasts exceptional performances, particularly by Jon Finch as Macbeth and Francesca Annis as Lady Macbeth. Their chemistry and portrayal of the characters' descent into madness are memorable.

4. Cinematic Techniques:

 Polanski uses his directorial skills to create a haunting and atmospheric film. The cinematography, settings, and use of natural landscapes contribute to a visually stunning interpretation of "Macbeth."

5. Unique Interpretations:

 Polanski's adaptation offers a unique interpretation of the play's supernatural elements, grounding them in a more eerie and unsettling way. This adds depth to the story and enhances the sense of impending doom.

Overall, Roman Polanski's "Macbeth" is widely regarded as one of the best adaptations due to its faithfulness to the source material, gritty realism, strong performances, and unique directorial choices that bring out the darker aspects of the play.

4. Feminist Reading:

   - Define what a "Feminist Reading" of a literary text involves. Can you apply this approach to analyze the character of Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth"? Explain how her character can be viewed from a feminist perspective.

Ans. A "Feminist Reading" of a literary text involves examining the text through a feminist lens, with a focus on gender roles, power dynamics, and the portrayal of women. It seeks to uncover how the text reflects or challenges societal norms and expectations related to gender.

Analyzing Lady Macbeth from a feminist perspective in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" can be done by highlighting several key aspects:

1. Gender Roles: 

Lady Macbeth defies traditional gender roles of her time. She is ambitious, ruthless, and desires power, qualities typically associated with male characters. A feminist reading would explore how her character challenges and subverts these gender norms.

2. Ambition and Agency: 

Lady Macbeth is a driving force behind Macbeth's actions, manipulating him to seize power. A feminist analysis would emphasize her agency and assertiveness, questioning how society responds to women who pursue their ambitions assertively.

3. Motherhood vs. Ambition: 

Lady Macbeth's famous lines about being willing to "dash the brains out" of her own child to achieve her goals highlight the tension between motherhood and ambition. A feminist reading would delve into the complexities of her character, considering how her ambitions clash with societal expectations of maternal instincts.

4. Vulnerability and Madness: 

As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth's mental state deteriorates, leading to her eventual madness. A feminist analysis might explore the portrayal of her vulnerability and how it relates to societal pressures on women to conform to certain roles.

5. Power and Downfall: 

Lady Macbeth's pursuit of power ultimately leads to her downfall, reflecting a cautionary tale. A feminist perspective could discuss how her character's fate serves as a commentary on the limitations placed on women who seek power and influence.

In summary, a feminist reading of Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth" involves examining her character's defiance of gender norms, her agency and ambition, the tension between motherhood and ambition, her vulnerability, and how her character's arc reflects broader societal attitudes toward women and power.

THE NEOCLASSICAL ERA

    

 Here I am writing my blog on The neoclassical era. 

# WHAT IS NEOCLASSICAL AGE,... 

According to Britannica Encyclopaedia:

"Classicism and Neoclassicism, in the arts, historical tradition or aesthetic attitudes based on the art of Greece and Rome in antiquity. In the context of the tradition, Classicism refers either to the art produced in antiquity or to later art inspired by that of antiquity; Neoclassicism always refers to the art produced later but inspired by antiquity. Thus the terms Classicism and Neoclassicism are often used interchangeably."

The term Neoclassicism is a combination of two words: Neo and Classic. The word neo has been derived from a Greek word neos, which means young or new, while the word classic, according to the Webster Dictionary, refers to the style and works of the ancient authors of Greece and Rome. To combine these words, we get the meaning of Neoclassicism as the rebirth and restoration of Classicism.

Neoclassicism is the movement in the history of English literature, which laid immense emphasis on the revival of the classical spirit during the period between 1680 and 1750 in the age of Pope and Dryden. It is a prototype of Classicism. Writers of this period immensely endeavoured to follow the z of the writers of the period of Augustus, emperor of Rome, which produced unparalleled writers as Horace, Virgil and Ovid. That is the reason; the age of Pope and Dryden is also called Augustan Age.

# Let's discuss the general characteristics of the       Elizabethan age & Neoclassical age,... 

> GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NEOCLASSICAL AGE:-

The Neoclassical era in literature brought a sense of decorum and stability to writers. There were rules to be carefully followed, and there was structure to be upheld. People praised wit and parody, as well. It was a time of careful moral appearances, though appearances were more valued than honesty.

Neoclassical literature has been written in a period where social order was undergoing a tremendous change. In the so-called Enlightenment Period, people believed that natural passions aren’t necessarily good; natural passions must be subordinated to social needs and be strictly controlled.

Authors believed that reason was the primary basis of authority. They believed that social needs are more important than individual needs. It is quite on contrary to its preceding age, in which emphasis was laid on individualism rather than the socialism. 

# CHARACTERISTICS:-

1. INFLUENCE OF MATERIALISM:-

When Pope declares the limits of man, he also sets, by implications, the limits for the artist:

“Know then thyself, presume not God to scan

The proper study of mankind is man!”

But Pope echoes only dominant philosophical thoughts here. After the Renaissance, Platonism and Christian Humanism, we find in the Neoclassical age, the dominance of Materialism and Empirical Science.

The ruling thought of the age is shaped by philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Joseph Butler. The philosophical empiricism of the age propagated through the writings of Bacon, Hobbes and Locke were supported and strengthened by the advancement of empirical science.

Under the influence of empirical philosophy and experimental science, writers of the age narrowed both their vision of man and view of life. The affairs of men, their politics, their morals, and manners became the chief concern.

Although the concern with politics was present in the time of Shakespeare also, his and his contemporaries’ treatment was ideal and utopian. But the treatment of Neoclassical writers was practical rather than utopian.

2. IMITATION OF CLASSICS:-

One of the most important features of the Neoclassical literature is the imitation of the classics of ancient Greek and Roman literature.

Although the Renaissance writers had imitated the classics, whereas Renaissance writers mere derived inspirations from the classics rather than copying the models of the past, the Neoclassical writers strictly adhered to the authority of their models. Thus Neoclassical literature can be called as ‘Traditional’.

The Neoclassical writers like Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Johnson were convinced that excellence and perfection in the literary art have been attained by the Roman writers of antiquity, thus they can only copy the models of perfection and excellence.

3. CONCEPT OF NATURE:-

The concept of nature was also an important characteristic of the Neoclassical age. By nature, they never meant the forest nature, but for them, nature meant the general human nature.

The general human nature was not what the ordinary men and women felt and thought, but the standard view of human nature as held by Homer and Horace.

Like their static view of the world, the Neoclassical writers thought of human nature also was something static and standard, which is the same in all men and remains the same at all times. Thus their view of nature as well as of man, world, and genre was static and standard.

4. CONCEPT OF MAN:-

The Neoclassical literature considers man as a limited being, having limited power. A large number of satires and works of the period attack the man for his pride and advise him to remain content with his limited power of knowledge. Thus man in Neoclassical literature remains a being of limited means and power.

5. LITERARY FORMS:-

Among the Neoclassical forms of literature, the most famous were the essay, both in verse and prose. While drama declined and almost disappeared during the later part of the period, Novel made its beginnings. The literature of the age was mostly comic and satiric. An important failure of the age was to produce tragedy.

6. NEOCLASSICAL DRAMA:-

Neoclassical drama falls into two phases-

               >  RESTORATION DRAMA

                  (Later 17th century) 

               >  SENTIMENTAL DRAMA

                   (18th century) 

7. THE NEW RESTRAINT:-

Writers started inventing new words and regularising vocabulary and grammar. Complex bodily metaphysical language such as Shakespeare used in his major tragedies was clarified and simplified.

Moreover, the plays of Neoclassical age compared to those of Shakespeare plays are of single plot-line and are strictly limited in time and place.

8. AGE OF REASON:-

Neoclassical Period is often called the Age of Reason. Thinkers of this age considered reason to be the highest mental faculty and sufficient guide in all areas. Both religious beliefs and morality were grounded on reason. In literature also, the reason is predominant in the Neoclassical age. Emotions and imaginations are also present but in a controlled way.

So here we can say that The Neoclassical Period in literature brought a sense of decorum and stability to writers. There were rules to be carefully followed. It was a time of careful moral appearance, though appearances were more valued than honesty. However, some of England’s most brilliant literature can be credited to this era.

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Now let's discuss the general characteristics of Elizabethan age,...

# WHAT IS ELIZABETHAN AGE,... 

Elizabethan Age, in British history, the time period (1558–1603) during which Queen Elizabeth I ruled England. Popularly referred to as a “golden age,” it was a span of time characterized by relative peace and prosperity and by a flowering of artistic, literary, and intellectual culture to such a degree that it (along with the succeeding reign of James I) is sometimes designated as the “English Renaissance.”

The Elizabethan Age began with Elizabeth Tudor’s accession to the throne, in 1558, and her institution of the Elizabethan religious Settlement (effected with the Act of Supremacy and Act of Uniformity) in 1559. In the decades since her father, Henry VIII, had broken with the Roman Catholic Church, conflicts between Protestants and Catholics created chaos in England. The attempt by Elizabeth’s predecessor, Mary I, to return England to Catholicism intensified this conflict. Elizabeth’s goal was to create a stable peaceful situation by ending direct religious persecution. She would be the “supreme head” of a state church, the Church of England, but (partly because England wished to maintain good relations with powerful Catholic countries, particularly Spain) Catholics would not be targets of state violence. Moreover, they would have some amount of religious freedom. Nonetheless, failure to attend Sunday service in an Anglican church was to be fined by the government under the Act of Uniformity, which would stoke resentment and dissent.

> THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELIZABETHAN AGE:-

Elizabethan Period is generally regarded as the greatest in the history of English Literature. Historically, we note in this age, the tremendous impetus received from the Renaissance from the Reformation & from the exploration of the new world.

It was marked by a strong national spirit, by patriotism, by religious tolerance, by social content, by intellectual progress & by unbounded enthusiasm.

Such an age of thought, feeling & vigorous action, finds its best expression in the drama; & the wonderful development of the drama, culminating.

Though the age produced some of the excellent prose works, it is essentially an age of poetry; & the poetry is remarkable for its variety, its freshness, its youth & romantic feeling.

1. REVIVAL OF INTEREST IN GREEK LITERATURE:-

The ardent revival in the study of Greek literature brought a dazzling light into many dark places of interest. The new classical influences were a great benefit. They tempered & polished the earlier rudeness of English Literature.

2. ABUNDANCE OF OUTPUT:-

The Elizabethan age was rich in literary productions of all kinds. Singing is impossible when one’s hearts undeclared & at any moment one may be laid prostrate.

Not till the accession of Queen Elizabeth, did a better state of things began to be. In the Elizabethan age, pamphlets & treatises were freely written.

Sometimes writers indulged in scurrilous abuses which were of personal character. But on the whole, the output of the literature was very wide, & after the lean years of the preceding epoch, the prodigal issue of the Elizabethan age is almost embarrassing.

3. THE NEW ROMANTICISM:-

The romantic quest is, for the remote, the wonderful & the beautiful. All these desires were abundantly fed during the Elizabethan age, which is the first & the greatest romantic epoch (period).

According to Albert, “there was a daring & resolute spirit of adventure in literary as well as the other regions, & most important of these was an un-mistakable buoyancy & freshness in the strong wind of the spirit. It was the ardent youth of English Literature & the achievement was worthy of it.”

4. TRANSLATIONS IN ELIZABETHAN AGE:-

The Elizabethan age witnessed translation into English of several important foreign books. Many translations were as popular as the original works. Sir Thomas North translated Plutarch’s Lives & John Florio translated Montaigne’s Essais.

No less popular were the translations of poetry. E.g. Metamorphoses by Arthur Golding, Aristotle’s Orlando Furioso by Sir John Harrington, Tasso’s Terusalom Liberata by Richard Carew.

5. SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE:-

In spite of borrowings from abroad, the authors of this age showed a spirit of independence & creativeness. Shakespeare borrowed freely, but by the alembic of his creative imaginations, he transformed the dross into gold.

Spenser introduced the ‘Spenserian Stanza’, & from his works, we got the impression of inventiveness & intrepidity. On the whole, the outlook of the writers during the age was broad & independent.

6. DEVELOPMENT OF DRAMA:-

During the Elizabethan Age, the drama made a swift & wonderful leap into maturity. The drama reached the splendid perfection in the hands of Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, though in the concluding part of the age, particularly in Jacobean Age, there was a decline of drama standards.

7. POPULARITY OF POETRY:-

Poetry enjoyed its hey-day during the Elizabethan age. The whole of the age lived in a state of poetic fervour. Songs, lyrics & sonnets were produced in plenty, & England became the nest of the singing birds. In versification, there was a marked improvement. Melody & pictorialism were introduced in poetry by Spenser.

8. PROSE & NOVELS:-

For the first time, prose rose to the position of first-rate importance. “Even the development of poetical drama between 1579 A.D. -1629 A.D., is hardly more extraordinary than the sudden expansion of English prose & its adaptation to every kind of literary requirement.”

The dead weight of the Latin & English prose acquired a tradition & universal application. English Novel made its first proper appearance during this age.

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So let's move further and discuss about second question.... 

QUE. Who is your favorite writer and the favorite text from the Neoclassical Age?

How is he/she different from the writers of Elizabethan Age and Romantic Age?

"DANIEL DEFOE IS MY FAVORITE WRITER OF AUGUSTAN AGE AND HIS ""ROBINSON CRUSOE" IS MY FAVORITE TEXT FROM THE THE NEOCLASSICAL AGE."

click here for biography of DENIAL DEFOE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT "ROBINSON CRUSOE"

Check out both the link and vedio for more information... 

QUE: Share your presentation presented in the class. Attach it

DANIEL DEFOE_20230828_115919_0000.pptx from HardiVhora

 with your blog.

So let's move further on last question..... 

QUE:Describe any one thing about this age which you look upto. 

 

(1660-1788) - This period goes by the names "the Enlightenment," "the Age of Reason," and "the Neo-Classical Age."

Neo classical literature was defined by Common sense, order, accuracy, and structure. Their character also practiced conservatism, self-control, and restraint.

Neoclassicism is a revival of the classical past. It developed in Europe in the 18th century when artists began to imitate Greek and Roman antiquity and painters of the Renaissance as a reaction to the excessive style of Baroque and Rococo.

Clean, crisp lines replaced the twists and turns of Rococo art, and color was generally toned down. The subject matter often involved Greek or Roman myths, as well as the epic stories of ancient heroes, such as Achilles and Hector.

Neoclassicism in the arts is an aesthetic attitude based on the art of Greece and Rome in antiquity, which invokes harmony, clarity, restraint, universality, and idealism.

The Neoclassical style arose from such first-hand observation and reproduction of antique works and came to dominate European architecture, painting, sculpture, and decorative arts. It was not until the eighteenth century that a concerted effort to systematically retrieve the glories of lost civilizations began.

Alfred Marshall, is the father of neoclassical economics. The theory of Neoclassical Economics originated around 1900; at the time it gave a tough competition to the ideas and beliefs of Classical economists. Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Vilfredo Pareto laid the groundwork for this theory.

The period is called neoclassical because its writers looked back to the ideals and art forms of classical times, emphasizing even more than their Renaissance predecessors the classical ideals of order and rational control.

Writers and craftsmen including Alexander Pope, John Dryden, Jonathan Swift and Josiah Wedgwood found inspiration in the classical period. Andrew Macdonald-Brown explores how their works adopted the style, genres, aesthetic values and subjects of Greek and Roman writers.

So here most of information about neoclassical age is covered by me... 

Thank you for reading... 

Happy learning... Exploring... 

THE TRAGIC PROTAGONIST : THE KING👑 LEAR

Here I'm writing a blog on " WHAT IS HAMARTIA"... & Which tragic protagonist related with HAMARTIA. 

# HAMARTIA MEANS(according to Aristotle),... 

Hamartia arose from the Greek verb hamartanein, meaning "to miss the mark" or "to err." Aristotle introduced the term in the Poetics to describe the error of judgment which ultimately brings about the tragic hero's downfall. As you can imagine, the word is most often found in literary criticism. However, media writers occasionally employ the word when discussing the unexplainable misfortune or missteps of celebrities regarded as immortal gods and goddesses before being felled by their own shortcomings. For example, a writer for The New Republic in an April 2018 review of Chappaquiddick (a movie about U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy) comments that "Kennedy's ruthlessness and ambition, which are treated as the family's hamartia in Chappaquiddick, are swept under the rug of his compassion."

During my B.A. I was studied one tragedy "THE KING LEAR" which is written by William Shakespeare. Who is the king of Tragedies. He wrote so many tragedies during his literary career; and all tragedies were gain so much fame from readers. 

Hamartia, also called tragic flaw, (hamartia from Greek hamartanein, “to err”), inherent defect or shortcoming in the hero of a tragedy, who is in other respects a superior being favoured by fortune.

And most of shakespearen tragedies are depended on Hamartia.

Here are some famous tragedies of william Shakespeare; and in which Aristotle's Hamartia concept  well hlights. That's why the combination of william Shakespeare's tragedies are always famous in English literature. 

# KING LEAR AS TRAGIC PROTAGONIST :-

King Lear, one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, depicts a society in grim circumstances. As with all tragedies, there exists a tragic hero,one who possesses a fatal flaw that initiates the tragedy and all the sufferings that follow. In this play, the tragic hero is undoubtedly the title character, King Lear. The plot is driven by the power and consequence of losses, more specifically, the losses of Lear. In the course the play, King Lear, because of his flaws, loses his authority as a king, his identity as a father, and his sanity as a man. One loss builds on another, but moreover, his greatest loss, and what distinguishes this tragedy from all others, is his chance of redemption. Unlike other tragedies, there is no salvation for the tragic hero or any sign of optimism in the conclusion. This bleak portrayal of King Lear, through his losses, makes him the ultimate tragic hero, and the play an ultimate tragedy.

So in KING LEAR the concept of HAMARTIA is well proved. 

# CONCLUSION:-

In concluding part I want to say that in THE KING LEAR shakespeare consider as tragic hero who lost everything in the end. 

The play ends with the ultimate downfall of the tragic hero, as Lear dies in a state of grief. In this way, King Lear portrays not only the tragedy of a society, but more importantly, the tragedy of a man.

Thank you for reading my blog... 
Happy learning & exploring.... 

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP BY MR. AARANYAK

 

"IMAGINATION: AN ART OF SEEING"

A wonderful photography workshop was well organized on 17/08/2023 in DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH MKBU. And Life science department's students were also invited. 

Mr. Kaushik Ghelani who is well known wildlife photographer and filmmaker taught us how to click picture properly. It was such a fruitful workshop for all of us. 

Dhruv Bhatt give him pen name "AARANYAK"

Workshop was divided in 2 sessions. In first session Kaushik Ghelani sir talked about all the major aspects of photography and how we click a perfect picture with our mobile as well. And he was also saw us his most famous photographs. Some of them are given below

"PHOTOGRAPHY IS AUTHENTIC SKILL WHICH IS CONSIDER THAT HOW YOU SEE THE THINGS"

He was also talked about various and important styles of click a perfect picture; like, 

∆ Grid view

∆ Highlight particular part

∆ Golden point

∆ center focus rule

∆ Symmetry

∆ Geometric shape

∆ Leading lines

∆ Aparture rules

Mr. Kaushik Ghelani also made two short films, one for G-20 in which he included 18 countries who are connected with it and their birds comes to India this video is on his YouTube channel and another one is for World Environment Day and it's uploaded on Gujrat's CM Bhupendra Singh's social media accounts. 

And at the end of first session we had some interactive question answer with him and very calmly he answered us. 

In second session he gave us task to click five pictures and than he would tell us what kind of mistakes made by us in our photography. We all have done our photography and one by one he gave us some suggestions and gave us right path for a perfect photography. 

In that task I had clicked these photographs

 

And end of the 2nd session he declared winners🏆🎉🏆 of photography task!.. Our senior Avani Jani & Drashti Joshi stood in 1st and 3rd position. 

And 2nd rank was gave to one girl who was from life science department. 

In concluding session our classmates gave him feedback and vote of thanks for his precious time. 

 

I would like to tell about Mr. Kaushik Ghelani si r that he gave us his precious time and taught us so many major things about photography in a correct way... And especially he is a such a down to earth person. And at the end of workshop we had a group picture with Kaushik Ghelani sir. 

It was such a amazing and fruitful workshop for all of us. All thanks to English department's facilities. Glad to be the student of the department. 

Thank you for reading... 

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PERIODICAL WRITING DURING ROMANTIC AGE

HERE I'M WRITING A BLOG( GIVEN BY MEGHA MA'AM TRIVEDI) ON "PERIODICAL WRITING DURING ROMANTIC AGE" WHICH IS THE FINEST FEATURE OF THE AGE. 

# WHAT IS ROMANTIC AGE? 

The Romantic Period began roughly around 1798 and lasted until 1837. The political and economic atmosphere at the time heavily influenced this period, with many writers finding inspiration from the French Revolution. There was a lot of social change during this period.

It is called Romantic Revival because it sought to revive the poetic ideals of the Elizabethan Age. Love, beauty, emotion, imagination, romance and the beauty of nature were the ideals of the Elizabethan poetry, which the Romantic Movement sought to revive.

Romantic period in English Literature is considered a revolutionary time. It brought Artistic, intellectual, literary as well as musical movement started across Europe. Many renowned poets, novelists, dramatists, writers came out of their shells and contributed their masterpieces in English literature to enrich it.

Romanticism started in Western Europe, around the middle of the 18th century. At this time, the dominant artistic and cultural movement is Neoclassicism, which finds its inspiration in the aesthetics of ancient civilizations. Neoclassicism values order, self-control, and the promotion of ideal values.

English poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Blake, and Lord Byron produced work that expressed spontaneous feelings, found parallels to their own emotional lives in the natural world, and celebrated creativity rather than logic.

As a term to cover the most distinctive writers who flourished in the last years of the 18th century and the first decades of the 19th, “Romantic” is indispensable but also a little misleading: there was no self-styled “Romantic movement” at the time, and the great writers of the period did not call themselves Romantics. Not until August Wilhelm von Schlegel’s Vienna lectures of 1808–09 was a clear distinction established between the “organic,” “plastic” qualities of Romantic art and the “mechanical” character of Classicism.

>> MAJORS POETS OF    ROMANTIC AGE:-

1. John Keats

2. Lord Byron

3. P. B. Shelley

4. S. T. Coleridge

5. William Wordsworth

6. William Blake

7. Elizabeth Barrett Browning

8. Robert Burns

9. Robert Browning

10. Christina Rossetti

>> CENTRAL FEATURES OF ROMANTIC ERA INCLUDE,... 

• Emotion and passion
• The critique of progress
• A return to the past
• An awe of nature
• The idealization of women
• The purity of childhood
• The search for subjective truth
• The celebration of the individual
• A break from convention
• Spirituality and the occult

>> Romantic age also includes miner features like Free trade, Population, Riots, Attitude of nature 

And one of the finest feature is PERIODICAL WRITING,.. 

 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PERIODICAL LITERATURE OF ROMANTIC AGE

# INTRODUCTION:-

The periodical was the peculiar product of the 18th century's social life and condition. The periodical essay, as the name itself suggests, appeared periodically or at intervals of fixed time in magazines or journals, and not in book form. The periodical essay is special in so far as it differs from other essays in its aims which were deliberately social. They aimed at the improvement of the society, its morals and manners. The duty of the author of these periodical essays was to inform the mind and delight the heart of the reading public. 

In England, there had been news sheets published in the Elizabethan times but these were irregular efforts, issued only on the occasion of something important, such as a flood or other calamity In 1622, a weekly English journal began to be published which was edited by Thomas Archer. This, however, dealt with information about foreign wars alone. These publications dealing with foreign news were banned in 1632. They re-appeared in 1638. 

The reign of Charles I saw the high pitch of political passions which led to the This period produced a number of journals and periodic which, for the first time, started printing news of the home front. These journals show some of the modern features of the newspapers and Plications were suppressed. This suppression of the liberty of the press was hefted partially in 1659 when three people were given permission to publish journals. Henry Muddiman’s The London Gazette was published in 1665.

It was in 1682 that the freedom of the press was completely restored. Now there was a spate of publications It was the 18th century however, which saw the rise of journalism proper and with it, the periodical. The climate of this period was one of terse and intense political rivalry. This rivalry between the two major parties of the country, the Whigs and the Tories, brought about an expansion of the press.

More and more pamphlets were published and it was rare to find a writer without political affiliations. Among the early periodicals may be counted Daniel Defoe’s Review was first published in 1704. Earlier than this was the publication of Athenian Mercury (1690) started by Dunton. This clearly pointed the way towards the periodical essays of the 18th century.

Courthope believes that this magazine had a decided role to play in the emergence of the periodical essay. “Men of active and curious mind with a little leisure and a large love of discussion were anxious to have their doubts on all subjects resolved by a printed oracle.” Their tastes were gratified by the ingenuity of John Dunton. The Athenian Mercury was creating the sort of readership which would look for satisfaction towards the periodical press.

But the periodical essay could be said to have actually taken birth with the publication of Steele’s Tatler. The Tatler was started by Steele in 1709. It can easily be called the model or ‘archetypal’ of periodical papers. The Tatler started with news items, anecdotes and poetry, gradually developing into a series of essays on a number of subjects. Addison also contributed to the Tatler. The Tatler ran till January, 1711. Three months after the disappearance of the Tatler came the Spectator and this periodical was closely allied to the interests of the Tatler. The popularity of the Tatler as well as the Spectator was conspicuous.

>> THERE ARE MAJOR THREE CAUSES OF THE RISE OF PERIODICAL LITERATURE,... 

1. POLITICAL RIVALRY AND GROWTH OF POLITICAL PARTIES (MAJORS) 

        > WHIGS

        > TORIES

2.  THE ROLE OF THE COFFEE HOUSES

3.  THE RISE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS

>> There are 5 examples of periodical literature ( writing),.. 

1. THE EXAMINER (1808-1812) :-

 

In 1808 Leigh Hunt and his brother John had launched the weekly Examiner, which advocated abolition of the slave trade, Catholic emancipation, and reform of Parliament and the criminal law. For their attacks on the unpopular prince regent, the brothers were imprisoned in 1813. Leigh Hunt, who continued to write The Examiner in prison, was regarded as a martyr in the cause of liberty. After his release (1815) he moved to Hampstead, home of Keats, whom he introduced in 1817 to Shelley, a friend since 1811. The Examiner supported the new Romantic poets against attacks by Blackwood’s Magazine on what it called “the Cockney school of poetry,” supposedly led by Hunt.

2. THE EDINBURGH REVIEW (1802-1929) :-

The Edinburgh Review, or The Critical Journal
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The Edinburgh Review, or The Critical Journal, Scottish magazine that was published from 1802 to 1929, and which contributed to the development of the modern periodical and to modern standards of literary criticism. The Edinburgh Review was founded by Francis Jeffrey, Sydney Smith, and Henry Brougham as a quarterly publication, with Jeffrey as its first and longtime editor. It was intended as an outlet for liberal views in Edinburgh. The magazine soon earned wide esteem for its political and literary criticism, and by 1818 it had attained a circulation of 13,500. Its contributors included the novelist Sir Walter Scott, the essayist William Hazlitt, the historian Thomas Babington Macaulay, the educator Thomas Arnold, and the legal historian Sir James Stephen. The Edinburgh Review’s prestige and authority among British periodicals during the 19th century were matched only by that of The Quarterly Review.

3. THE QUARTERLY REVIEW (1809-1967) :-

In 1818 Lockhart met Sir Walter Scott, the “elder statesman” of European Romanticism. Lockhart married Scott’s daughter Sophia in 1820, became, through his influence, editor (1825–53) of the Tory Quarterly Review, and inherited Scott’s Abbotsford estate. Though attacked by contemporaries for exposing Scott’s faults, Lockhart’s Life is now regarded as an idealized portrait, depicting Scott’s success in brilliant colour, indicating his foibles with subtle wit, and treating the follies of the Ballantynes, Scott’s first publishers, with partisan disregard for truth.

4. THE BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE (1817-1980) :-

Blackwood's Magazine was a British magazine and miscellany printed between 1817 and 1980. It was founded by the publisher William Blackwood and was originally called the Edinburgh Monthly Magazine. The first number appeared in April 1817 under the editorship of Thomas Pringle and James Cleghorn.

Founded by the publisher William Blackwood, 'Edinburgh Monthly Magazine' was launched on 1 April 1817, and featured a title page image of the 16th-century Scottish historian George Buchanan. It was also known as Tory magazine. 

5. THE LONDON MAGAZINE:-

The London Magazine is the title of six different publications that have appeared in succession since 1732. All six have focused on the arts, literature and miscellaneous topics.

>> So in conclusion we can say that periodical literature was highly famous during romantic age; and great writers gave their precious contribution in the periodical literature during Romantic age. But there were 5 major periodical writings which are mention above in detail by me. 

THANK YOU FOR READING... 

HAPPY LEARNING AND EXPLORING....